Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator®

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® instrument is the the most widely used personality inventory in the world. It provides an accurate picture of a person’s personality type. Personality in turn influences behavior.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® determines preferences in four dimensions:

Extraversion–Introversion describes where people prefer to focus their attention and get their energy. They may prefer the outer world of people and activity. Or, they may prefer their inner world of ideas and experiences.

Sensing–Intuition describes how people prefer to take in information. They may focus on what is real and actual. Or, they may focus on patterns and meanings in data.

Thinking–Feeling describes how people prefer to make decisions. They may rely on logical analysis. Or, they may rely on concern for their impact on others.

Judging–Perceiving describes how people prefer to deal with the outer world. They may live in a planned orderly way. Or, they may live in a flexible, spontaneous way.

Combinations of these preferences result in 16 distinct personality types. Personality type influences an individual’s way of communicating and interacting with others.

First, the value of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® is in acquainting participants with their own MBTI® type. Second, this enables them to make educated guesses about the types of other people with whom they interact. As a result, they are more effective in dealing with others. We also often use MBTI® in our team building work. Benefits of a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® program include the following:

Individuals increase their awareness of their own style and its implications.

Individuals learn to identify and value the style differences they have with others.

Leaders learn how to relate to and manage their staff differently and more effectively.

Teams learn more about themselves and the individuals who make them up.

Teams, individuals, and leaders learn a common language. This new language enables them to frame and address style differences effectively